Heartstart Thatcham team

Heartstart Thatcham team

Tue, 24 Feb 2015

Reporter:

Steve Ambrose

Contact:

01635 886648

ANOTHER life saving device has been officially unveiled in West Berkshire. The Heartstart Thatcham team unveiled their latest public access defibrillator - outside the Cold Ash Parish Office - last Friday in memory of Kenneth Rutt who died last year....

ANOTHER life saving device has been officially unveiled in West Berkshire.

The Heartstart Thatcham team unveiled their latest public access defibrillator - outside the Cold Ash Parish Office - last Friday in memory of Kenneth Rutt who died last year. Mr Rutt had collapsed in Thatcham Broadway but a passer-by kept his heart going by performing CPR until ambulance crews arrived. Sadly, he died days later.

Heartstart Thatcham scheme coordinator, Dr Nick Young said that Mr Rutt's widow, Ann, asked that donations be made to Heartstart Thatcham to help them continue teaching CPR and other life saving skills. "The amount donated was amazing and thus with other donations we decided to use the money to place a device that would help others and did so in memory of Ken," he said.

The Cold Ash device has been funded from four different sources. Firstly through family and friends of Mr Rutt; Heartstart's fundraising team; Cold Ash Parish Council and Ann and Ed Clarke from Thatcham Sequence Dancers who raised money throughout 2014 by hosting charity dance nights.

Mrs Rutt and her son John, Mr and Mrs Clarke and many of the parish councillors were present to unveil the device and find out exactly what it is and how it works. Dr Young said: "It has been fantastic to work with so many people that felt so passionately about what we are doing and helping us to safeguard all those that work, live and visit Cold Ash.”

Dr Young demonstrated the device before parish council chairman, Richard Marsh, tried it for himself; noting how easy it was to use and how safe it felt that it could not be misused.

The defibrillator is designed to be used and accessed by the public, and could save the life of someone in cardiac arrest. It checks the casualty for a heart rhythm and will shock them if necessary to help stop the heart from fibrillating and restore a normal rhythm. It is available 24/7 and will be deployed by South Central Ambulance Service when necessary.

The defibrillator team, which includes staff from West Berkshire and Thatcham Town councils and Thatcham Rotary Club, have already installed defibrillators at the Henwick Worthy Sports Field and Kennet Shopping Centre.